Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

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320 Old Irish Religions.
One may smile at a clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Glover,
saying of the stone of Jacob, that it was reverenced long
by the Jews, and "being lost in the destruction of their
sanctuary, 588 B.C., has appeared in Ireland as the precious
Liag PJiail, brought thither by Hebrew men in a ship of
war, cir. 584." Mr. Hine, in Leading the Nations to Glory,
regards that stone as " a witness to God's covenants in the
future."
One may, also, smile at
Dean Stanley's enthusiasm over
the rival stone at Westminster, as a " link which unites the
throne of England with the traditions of Tara and lona."
Skene determines that the Lia Fail " never was anywhere
but at Tara," while the other stone " never was anywhere
but at Scone." Mr. G. Hudson rightly exclaims— " It is a
matter of surprise that the Council of the Royal Irish
Academy, if they believe this (at Tara) to be the Lia Fail,
have made no effort to save such a relic." But Skene's
conclusion upon this vexed question of authenticity is
as follows
"There was no connection between the stone at Scone
and the Lia Fail at Tara, and the legends of their wanderings,
like those of the tribes with whom they were
associated, are nothing but myth and fable."
It is uncomfortable to have one's pleasing romances
disturbed ; and the Stone of Destiny has had to encounter
the searching light of modern inquiry, to the destruction of
many pretty fancies. It is good to be happy ; it is better
to be true.